Light Pollution

What is it? Why does it Matter?

How you Can Make a Difference?

 

 

 

You Can Make Sustainable Choices to Reduce Light Pollution!

 

 

 

 

Choose the Right Fixtures and Accessories to Reduce Light Pollution.

 

What is Light Pollution?

 Light Pollution is...

• Unwanted or harmful manmade light

 

How Can Light be Harmful

•  When outside light shines into our homes at night, it may create problems by...
  • Interfering with our body clocks
  • Interfering with our sleep patterns 
  • Fading our belongings
• When light shines into the night sky, it creates problems by...
  • Hiding the beauty of the night sky
  • Interfering with wildlife
• Light pollution wastes energy!

 

How is Wasting Energy Harmful?

• Light pollution wastes $2.2 billion in the United States alone
• Light pollution uses up resources, yet serves no useful purpose
  • Almost 2/3 of the electricity used in the United States comes from non-renewable fossil fuels
• The process of generating electricity contributes to air pollution

 

 

 

Reducing the energy we waste as light pollution can make a difference!

 

 

 

 

How Can we Reduce Light Pollution?

Modify Existing Lighting Fixtures

• There are simple and inexpensive ways to reduce light pollution!
• When possible, add accessories like shields, visors, or hoods to lighting fixtures
• Make sure lights are aimed properly and are not shining directly into windows or into the sky
• Eliminate unnecessary lighting

 

Install New Lighting Fixtures

• If old lighting fixtures cannot be modified to prevent light pollution, consider replacing them with full cut-off or dark-sky friendly fixtures
  • Full cut-off lighting fixtures are shielded, so that their light is "cut-off' at a certain point; this makes sure that the light shines only where it is useful
  • Dark-sky refers to a night sky that allows us to see the stars clearly and is free of artificial glow from lighting fixtures
  • Dark-sky friendly lighting fixtures direct light onto walkways or streets, not into the sky

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consider This...

Light and Community

• Some communities have established lighting ordinances and curfews, in order to conserve electricity, reduce unneeded or unwanted light, and preserve the beauty of the night sky

 

Light and Health

• In 2019, the American Medical Association (AMA) resolved to support light pollution reduction efforts

 

Choosing Well

• When replacing old fixtures, consult with an electrician who can advise you about planning and provide installation
  • Not all lighting fixtures are designed to accept accessories
  • Read all lighting fixture and accessory instructions carefully
• When purchasing new fixtures, consider fixtures from reputable manufacturers that bear the International Dark-Sky Association's (IDA) Fixture Seal of Approval logo
  • The logo means that a fixture that has been evaluated and approved by third party certification as minimizing light pollution

 

Sources

American Medical Association. Resolution 516(A-09): Advocating and support for light pollution control efforts and glare reduction for both public safety and energy savings. Retrieved November 23, 3009

 

International Dark-Sky Association. (n.d.). Light pollution.

 

International Dark-Sky Association. (2010, April). Fixture Seal of Approval program. 

 

Mizon, B. (2002). Light pollution: Responses and remedies. New York: Springer.

 

Narisada, K., & Schreuder, D. (2004). Light pollution handbook. Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer.

 

Rea, M.S. (Ed.). (200). The IESNA lighting handbook: Reference and application (Ninth ed.). New York, NY: Illuminating Engineering Society of North America.

 

U.S. Department of Energy. (n.d.). Fossil fuels. Retrieved from http://www.energy.gov/energysources/fossilfuels.htm.

 

U.S. Energy Information Administration. (2010, December.) Frequently asked questions: Energy. Retrieved from http://www.eia.doe.gov/ask/electricity_lighting.

 

Authors

Paulette Heber, Ph.D.

Professor

Design, Housing, & Merchandising

 

Gina Peek, Ph. D.

Assistant Professor, Extension Specialist

Housing & Consumer

 

Reviewers

Lynne Beam

Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service

 

Kathie Bergmann

Parent Child Connections

 

Gale Mills

Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service

 

Claudette Reichel, Ph.D.

Louisiana State University

 

Graphic Design

Sylvia Chaney